The idea that Japan can improve its security without dropping a long-standing ban on aiding friendly countries under attack is a miracle that just won¡¯t happen, the acting head of an advisory panel to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said.
Abe has made clear that he wants to lift the ban on collective self-defense to bolster security ties with the United States as China expands its military and North Korea develops its nuclear capabilities.
The lifting of the ban would be a major turning point for the military, which has not engaged in combat since its defeat in World War II under a U.S.-drafted pacifist charter.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.